l patterson



CRANK SHAFT STRAIGHTENINGiMACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED ums, 1919.

1,369,904. Patented Mar. 1, 1921.

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atto/Luego C. L. PATTERSON.

CRANK SHAFT STRAIGHTENING MACHINE.

APPLlcATloN FILED DEc.5, 1919.

gggmu Patented Mar. L 1921.

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atto/Lump CRANK SHAFT STRMGHTENING MACH|NE.-

APFLICATlore MED DEC.5,1919.

Y 1,369,904. muted Mm 1,1921;

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CLARENCE L. PATTERSON, OF DETROIT, MCHIGAN, ASSIG-NOR T0 METALWOOD MANU..

FACTURING COMPANY, or earners; moineau, A consonancia or Minnie-AN.

CRANK-SHAFT-STRAIGHTENING- MACI-INE.

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Application filed December 5, 1919.

To atl to hom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, CLARENCE L. PATTER- soN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Detroit, in the county of lllayne and State of Michigan, have invented ceitain new and useful Improvements in Crank-Shaft-Straightening Machines, of which the following is a specification7 reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to machines designed for use in the straightening of crank shafts, and it is the object of the invention to facilitate and expedite the operation and to combine great power with accuracy of operation.

Crank shafts which have been subjected to heat treatmentare frequently warped, so as to be inaccurate. This inaccuracy may be eliminated by the bending of the shaft, but this is an operation requiring both power and delicacy. To determine the portions of the shaft that are out of true, it is revolved upon centers and when the most eccentric points are ascertained, pressure is applied thereto to bend the shaft. If, however, this pressure is applied to the shaft while still upony the centers, there is great danger of breaking or destroying the accuracy of these centers. On the other hand, the removal of the shaft from the centers and the replacement ofthe same after each bending operation is a; slow process.

lVith the present invention the shaft to be trued is placed on centers and remains in engagement therewith during all of the straightening operations. At the same time, the construction is Such that powerful pressure can be applied to the eccentric points of the shaft without any objectionable stressing of the centers. Other features of advantage will be referred to more specifically hereinafter.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 isa plan view of the pressure applying portion of the machine;

Fig. 4- is a plan view of the work table and shaft-supporting centers;

Figs. 5 and 6 are front elevations illustrating the operation of straightening the crank shaft;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 1l, 1921.

Serial No. 342,671.

Fig. 7 is a cross-section showing the arrangement of the fulcrum blocks;

Fig. 8 is an elevation of the stepped plunger head and showing its relation to the shaft-supporting centers;

Fig. 9 is an end elevation of the clamping member.

A is a work-supporting table; B' and B are carriages longitudinally movable upon said table and supporting the centers C and C for engagement with the work. D is a plunger, preferably hydraulically operated, which is arranged to move vertically in relation to the table and work supported thereon, the arrangement being such that by moving the carriages C and C any desired point in the shaft can be registered with the plunger. Thus when an inaccurate crank shaft, such as E, is engaged with the centers, it may be revolved thereon to determine the points of eccentricity and these points are then placed in registration with the plunger for the application of pressure to bend the shaft.

As has been stated, the application of pressure to the work while in engagement` with and supported solely by the centers would produce such a stress upon these delicate parts as to endanger breaking. This result l have avoided by the placing of pressure-resisting bearings beneath the shaft on opposite sides of the point to which pressure is applied and as shown, F are these pressure-resisting bearings which are of a tapering form and provided with handles F for adjusting the same transversely of the table A. These pressure-resisting bearings alone are insucient to relieve the centers from Stress, inasmuch as any bending pressure applied to the shaft between said bearings will cause a movement of the portions of the shaft beyond the bearings in the opposite direction. In other words, these bearings form fulcrum points upon which the shaft rocks, so that downward movement of the plunger will inevitably cause an upward movement of the ends of the shaft. I have therefore so constructed the centers and the carriages for the same as to permit freedom for upward movement, while at the same time maintaining their relative positions longitudinally of the shaft and the engagement of the centers with the shaft.

In detail G is a rod or shaft arranged distance apart.

parallel to the Vshaft operated upon and a'djustably engaging bearings on the carriages B and B. As shown, each of these carriages has a rearwardly and downwardly extending arm H carrying at its free end clamping bearing H for engaging the shaft G so that this shaft will be normally held below and in rear of the table. lllhcn the work is engaged or disengaged, the clamps H are released, so as to permit the free sliding of the bearings upon the shaft G, but normally these clamps are tightened, thereby holding the carriages B and D a fixed The enters C and C are preferably `resiliently yieldable and to this end the tapering shanks of the centers are engaged with correspondingly tapering recesses in a longitudinally adjustable cylindrical member l having shank l surroundedV vby a'spring J one end of which bearsfagainst-the collar I2 and the other end against the fixed'shoulder in a surrounding housing J. The latter is attached to the carriage by a Vtransversely extending pivot J 2, while a'spring J 3 yieldably holds the casing J against a'stop J4. The tension of the spring J issuch' as to apply a yielding pres sure l'to the centers for holding the same in engagement with the work, While the yielding of the spring J will permit a rocking of the center :to compensate for angular movement.

f The 'plunger D is operated preferably by a single acting hydraulic motor K for supplying the downward pressure and a spring` for eifecti'ng the return movement As shown, `a pair of springs are arrai g in housings L mounted on the base M of the frame and the connection between these springs and the plunger is through the medium of the flexible cables N, attached within guide `tubes O yon opposite sides of the plunger and passing over shives P and beneath shives Q to an anchorage l on the frame. The hydraulic pressure is furnished by a :pump S operated by an eccentric crank T, which latter is driven from the motor U through the medium of a `step-down gearingV. vThe application of the pressure is controlled by a valve lll, which is preferably operated by la lever X at the base of the machin'eto apply pressure to the plunger when said lever `is depressed and to relieve pressure when the pedal is lifted.

Inope'ratiom-the shaft to be straightened is *engaged with the centers C and C, the latter Vbeing properly spaced by adjustment of the clamps H upon the rod G. lVhen thus engaged, `the shaft may be revolved and the lpoints of greatest eccentricity marked thereon, after which the carriagesfgare moved `to adjust the shaft longitudinallyfand'to register the high point with the plunger. Before, however, applying anypressure the pressure -bcarings'E` lare adjusted transversely of the bed to enga portions of the shaft on o i )osito sides of the high point to be engaged by the plunger. "lhc' operator then presses the pedal Y, which b v admitting high pressure Afluid to the c viinder K will move. the plunger downward` thereby bending the shaft. .rit the same time, there will be an upward movement of the opposite ends of the shaft, which is permitted by the lifting of the carriages oil' from the table, while the centers will roch in these carriages to (xunpensate for the angular movement. This movement does not materially effect the distance between centers which are maintained relative! v ixcd by the rod (l and clamps ll. llhen the pedal is rel-eased. the hydraulic pressure is relieved, which will permit the springs arting through the cables l to raise the plunger out of engagement with the sha ft. The bearing blocks F may then be disengaged and the shaft revolved again to iiletermino the point or points for further application of pressure and the straightening operati-:in can be repeated until the shaft is truc.

To further facilitate the operatioi'l of the machine the plunger D is preferablyv provided with a transversely adjustable mem ber D having the stepped lwaringsv D2 and D3 for alternative eng gement with tlu` work. This limits the amount of increment which it is necessary to impart to the plunger in the application of pressure to dillerent parts of the shaft.` l also prcfrrahly provide roller supports Z for the ends of the shaft, while the latter is being enga ed or disengaged from the center. and which avoid a l danger of dropping the sha lil' dur-- ing this operation. These supports are man nected to arms .71. which are adjustablv mounted on the rod G so as to move with the carriages and centers when the latter are shifted longitudinally of the table.

llVhat I claim as my invention is:

l. In a machine for straightening shall's. the combination with pressure applyingmeansy of centers on which said shaft is revolubly supportedv` adj ostableto bringT dif ferent portions of the shaft into register with said pressure applying means` means intermediate the centers for supporting; work while being` en jd h v the centri-:x and means for maintaining said centers and supporting means in lined relation to each other when the centers are boina` adjusted in relation to the pressure applying means.

2. The combination with pressure a pplying means. of centers for revolubly supportmg` a shaft.. means for adjust said centers to bring diiferent portions o' the shaft into register with said pressure applying means.

Vbearings intermediate the centers for relieving said centers from the pressure of said applying means, the bearings beingslnftable transversely to the shaft for adpressure applying means, bearings for en gaging said shaft and receiving the pressure i of said applying means, and 'means for holding said centers and bearings in fixed. relation to each other adapted to permit deflection 0f the centers relative t0 said pressure receiving bearings to compensate for the bending of the shaft and to relieve said centers from stress.

4. In a machine for straightening shafts, the combination with pressure applying means, of shaft supporting centers adjustable to bring different portions of a shaft into register with the pressure applying means, means intermediate the centers for supporting the shaft during engagement with the centers and meanssecuring the centers and supporting means in fixed relation during adjustment for register with the pressure applying means.

5. In a machine for straightening shafts, the combination with ressure applying means, of shaft supporting centers adjustable to and from each other to accommodate different lengths of shafts, and shiftable bodily together to bring different portions of a supported shaft into register With the pressure applying means, and means for supporting the shaft during engagement with the centers, adjustable in relation to the centers, adapted to be shifted bodily with the centers when the latter are moved into desired relation to the pressure applying means.

6. In a machine for straightening shafts, the combination with fluid operated pressure applying means, of shaft supporting centers adjustable to bring different portions of a supported shaft into register with the pressure applying means, means intermediate the centers for supporting the shaft during engagement With the centers and means for securing the centers and supporting means in fixed relation during adjustment for register with the pressure applying means.

7. In a machine for straightening shafts, a Work table. fluid operating straightening means moving tran/syersely to the plane of the table, shaft supporting centers adjustable transversely tcgjthe movement of the pressure applying means on the table Whereby any portion of ashaft may be brought into register with the pressure applying means, means intermediate the centers supporting the shaft during engagementJ with the centers and means securing the centers and supporting means in fixed relation during adjustment for register with the pressure applying means.

8. In a machine for straightening shafts, the combination with fluid operating pressure applying means, of shaft supporting centers adjustable to and from each other to accommodate different lengths of shafts and shiftable bodily together to bring different portions of a supported shaft into register With the pressure a Dplying means and means for supporting a siaft during engagement with the centers, adjustable in relation to the centers and adapted to be shifted bodily With the centers when the latter are moved into a desired relation to the pressure applying means.

9. In a machine for straightening shafts, the combination vvith pressure applying means, o'f shaft supporting centers yieldingly mounted to provide for lateral and longitudinal, displacement and adjustably secured together whereby any portion of a supported shaft may be brought into register with the pressure applying means, means intermediate the centers for supporting the shaft during engagement with the centers adapted to be shifted bodily with the centers for engagement of any portion of the shaft With the pressure applying means and means intermediate the centers adapted to support the shaft during deflection of the latter under the operation of the pressure applying means.

l0. In a machine for straightening shafts, a work table, liquid operated pressure applying means moving transversely to the plane of the table, shaft supporting centers adjustable on the table transversely to the line of movement of the pressure applying means, means adjustable on the table intermediate the centers for supporting a shaft during engagement With the supporting centers, means yieldingly maintaining the centers in engagement With a supported shaft during deflection of the latter under operation of the pressure applying means and means adjustably securing the supporting;` centers and the supporting means together to permit the centers and supporting means to be shifted bodily along the table in .relation to the pressure applying means.

11. In a machine for straightening shafts, the combination with a Work table, a hydraulic press the direction of stroke of which is transverse to the table, shaft supporting centers shiftable on the table transversely to the line of movement of the press for bringing different portions of a supported shaft into the Working range of the press, yielding means supporting the cendisplacement of the latter during deflection @0f an engaged shaft, means adjustable on the table vtransversely to the line of movement of the centersV for supporting a shaft between the centers when engaged by the press and means for adjustably securing the centers in iXed relation during adjustment for" register with the pressure applying means.

12. ln a machine for straightening shafts, a Worktable, center' carriages sliiftable longitudinally on the table, shaft supporting centers yieldingly mounted on the carriages adapted to be deflected longitudinally and late-rally, means connecting the carriages adjustably for maintaining the centers in desil'ed relation While permitting bodily movement thereof along the table, means on the table adjustably secured to the carriage connecting means to move with the latter and adapted to support work while being engaged by the centers, liquid operated pressurev applying means movable transversely to the plane of the table :for engaging work carried by the centers and means intermediate the centers shiftable on the table transverselyto the line of motion of the center carriages for contacting with and supporting Work on the centers when undergoing deflection by the pressure applying means.

In testimony whereof l aliix my si gnatu re.

CLARENCE L. PATTERSON. 

